The House Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Courts and Competition Policy has a hearing scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 16, on H.R. 4115, the Open Access to the Courts Act. Sponsored by Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) the bill would restore the notice pleadings standard in federal courts.

Also in Congress this week, the Senate Commerce Committee has already scheduled a confirmation hearing Tuesday for David Strickland to head the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). As we wrote last week, Strickland is a former lobbyist for the American Association for Justice who has been general counsel of Commerce's consumer protection subcommittee, whence he brought the world the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act. Committees tend to treat their own quite well in the nomination process.

Strickland is also President Obama's second nominee for the post. The first, Charles Hurley, CEO of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, withdrew his nomination after environmentalists howled about his questioning the wisdom of higher CAFE standards.

UPDATE (Wednesday): Strickland's opening statement at his hearing is here. It's short and sweet and makes sure to pay allegiance to CAFE standards. A committee vote is scheduled for Thursday.